Thermalito Afterbay open to public, but waterway will be closed for boat races

Pickups hauling personal watercraft enter the Monument Hill Launching Facility Tuesday at the Thermalito Afterbay. Monument Hill is one of three boat launch areas that will be closed this weekend to watercraft, but the public can still use the area for on-shore fishing, picnicking and other activities.
(Barbara Arrigoni/Staff Photo)

OROVILLE — No boats or other watercraft will be allowed on any portion of the Thermalito Afterbay on Saturday and Sunday, but people may still use public access areas on those days.

That was the word from a California Highway Patrol official Tuesday who clarified the closure for speedboat time trials.

"People won't be able to launch boats anywhere on the entire Afterbay complex," said CHP officer Cliff Morrison in a phone call Tuesday.

Morrison said he was inundated with telephone calls Tuesday after an article was published about the closure.

On Monday, American Power Boat Association Region 11 Chairman Bill Boyes told this newspaper that the Afterbay would be closed to the public on the south side of Highway 162, along with the Larkin Road Boat Launch and Monument Hill Launching Facility.

The American Power Boat Association plans to hold the 2013 Oroville Time Trials there on the weekend.

Morrison said the water will be closed off to the public, but people will still have access to parking and other daytime uses at the Afterbay.

He also said all three boat launch areas, Larkin Road Boat Launch, Monument Hill Launching Facility and the Wilbur Road Boat Launch Area, will be closed to any watercraft, but open for other types of recreation.

"The facilities aren't closed," he said. "The water is restricted so there are no unintended collisions."

Other than the boating event participants, no boats, jet skis or any other water craft will be allowed on the water.

The public facilities can still be used on those days for picnics, barbecues, fishing from shore, kiting or other fun activities.

"We don't want people to cancel their weekend plans," he said.

Morrison also said watching the time trials will be possible.

"If people want to spectate, the venues are open," he said. "The water only will not be open."

American Power Boat Association Communications Director Ryan Berlin also encouraged spectators for the event.

"It is absolutely a spectator event," said Berlin in an email Tuesday. "These boats can go upward of 120 mph. It is actually pretty incredible to see live."

Reach Barbara Arrigoni at 533-3136, barrigoni@orovillemr.com, or on Twitter @OMRBarbara.